Denise Tepler is a Democratic state senator from Maine Senate District 24, seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1][2]She took office in the Senate on December 3, 2024, after serving in the Maine House of Representatives from 2014 to 2022.[1][2]
Denise Tepler's career experience includes serving as a board member and president of Emerge Maine and working as a small business owner.[1]She previously served on the M.S.A.D. #75 school board.[1]
Tepler represented House District 54 from 2014 to 2022, and in the 2019–2020 and 2021–2022 sessions she chaired the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee.[1]In the 2025–2026 Senate session she chairs the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Marine Resources Committee and also serves on the Senatorial Vote Committee.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
›Jobs & cost of living213 with · 10 against228 votes
On the version voted Feb 10, 2026: Exempts statewide nonprofit agricultural membership organizations that offer health care benefits to farmers from the health insurance definition if they meet requirements on eligibility, financial documentation, disclosure and a complaint process.
Creates the Maine Quality Care Act, setting minimum direct care registered nurse staffing levels by patient care unit in hospitals, freestanding emergency departments and ambulatory surgical facilities, with staffing calculation, anti-retaliation, record-keeping and civil-penalty enforcement provisions.
As introduced, requires the State Court Administrator to contract for court security when a lack of security disrupts more than 2% of a court's scheduled time in a month, offering the contract first to the county sheriff's office.
As amended in committee, bars possessing, importing or transferring firearms, frames and receivers without serial numbers, with exceptions such as antiques and curios or relics; lets licensed dealers imprint serial numbers; and bars making, selling or knowingly possessing undetectable firearms.
As introduced, requires firearm dealers to meet state security standards, background-check and train employees, keep records, report thefts, annually certify compliance (false certification is a Class C crime), and post notices on child safety, background checks and suicide prevention.
As amended, beginning January 1, 2030, lets a tenant end a lease on 30 days' written notice if the landlord did not give the required signed energy efficiency disclosure statement, and bars the landlord from keeping any fee or security deposit for that termination.
On the version voted Apr 30, 2025: Requires the Public Advocate, when taking positions in proceedings, to use independent judgment so those positions are consistent with cost-effective implementation for ratepayers of the state's greenhouse gas emissions reduction obligations.
On the version voted Jun 16, 2025: Changes renewable and clean energy procurement laws, setting 2040 goals of 90% renewable and 10% clean electricity, defining Class III clean resources including nuclear and qualifying hydroelectric, and letting the Public Utilities Commission coordinate procurement with other states.
As amended, requires MaineCare to pay Maine Veterans' Homes facilities a daily rate per MaineCare resident, set by the department and adjusted annually for inflation, and appropriates funding.
On the version voted May 7, 2025: Establishes a COVID-19 Review Commission to review the state's COVID-19 response, including executive orders, related contracts, health data, and agency policies and rules, and to report its findings.
Creates the Maine Quality Care Act, setting minimum direct care registered nurse staffing levels by patient care unit in hospitals, freestanding emergency departments and ambulatory surgical facilities, with staffing calculation, anti-retaliation, record-keeping and civil-penalty enforcement provisions.
Allows a school board to let a board member's spouse serve as a stipend employee and volunteer, and allows a written nepotism policy for stipend positions. The provisions repeal July 1, 2028.
On the version voted May 20, 2025: Creates the Hope and Inclusion Scholarship Program, in which parents of qualified private school and home-instruction students receive accounts funded by shifting 90% of the state and local essential programs and services funding for each student.
As amended, creates a Department of Education grant program for partnerships between colleges, community action agencies and public school systems on mental health, public health and staff development, with $250,000 in one-time funding.
On the version voted Jun 10, 2025: Creates a fund at the Maine State Housing Authority to support resident ownership of mobile home parks, financed by a $10,000-per-lot fee on sales of such parks, with buyers whose net worth is under $50,000,000 exempt.
As amended, beginning January 1, 2030, lets a tenant end a lease on 30 days' written notice if the landlord did not give the required signed energy efficiency disclosure statement, and bars the landlord from keeping any fee or security deposit for that termination.
As introduced, broadens drug-impairment testing law to cover impairment by any drug, replaces "drug recognition expert" with "law enforcement officer", and clarifies that the Secretary of State immediately suspends the license of a person who fails to submit to or complete the test.
As introduced, requires the Maine State Ferry Service to consult the Ferry Advisory Board on budgets, planning and major operational decisions, consider its recommendations and report to it regularly; requires the board to review the service annually and report to the Legislature by January 15.
On the version voted Jun 16, 2025: Requires the Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority to assess whether capacity expansion projects raise greenhouse gas emissions or per-capita vehicle miles traveled, and to alter scope or design to ensure a neutral or lower impact.
As introduced, creates the Maine Consumer Data Privacy Act, effective July 1, 2026, regulating how businesses collect, use, sell and delete residents' personal data and limiting collection to what is reasonably necessary for disclosed purposes.
As amended, bars knowingly or recklessly disclosing a minor's personal identifying information that causes stalking, physical harm, serious property damage or reasonable fear for the safety of the minor or a close relation; allows civil damages, brought through a representative, and protection from harassment orders.
On the version voted Jun 25, 2025: Directs the Maine Arts Commission to study federal and national efforts to protect artists from AI copyright infringement and to monitor educational use of copyrighted work, with $25,000 in one-time funding.
As amended, requires MaineCare to pay Maine Veterans' Homes facilities a daily rate per MaineCare resident, set by the department and adjusted annually for inflation, and appropriates funding.
Voted against most of their party on 18 of 695 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Climate & energy (5), Jobs & cost of living (5), Health & care (5)
An Act to Ensure Responsible Business Practices by Licensed Firearms Dealers
What it does: As introduced, requires firearm dealers to meet state security standards, background-check and train employees, keep records, report thefts, annually certify compliance (false certification is a Class C crime), and po…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 8–12, Republicans 14–0
An Act to Clarify the Laws Regarding Moose Hunting Permits for Hunting Outfitters
What it does: On the version voted Apr 9, 2026: Makes technical corrections to the committee amendment on moose hunting lodge permits, including keeping the outfitter share of all moose permits at 2% rather than 5% and conforming r…
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 15–5, Republicans 4–10
An Act to Allow Chiropractors to Treat Dogs and Equids
A yes vote accepted the majority "Ought to Pass as Amended" report on LD 1220; Committee Amendment "A" lets licensed chiropractors apply to the licensing board for added authority, with training and exams, to provide animal chiropractic care. (AI-written)
What it does: On the version voted Apr 2, 2026: Lets licensed chiropractors apply to the Board of Chiropractic Licensure for authority to treat animals, with training, exams, 22 hours of animal-specific continuing education before…
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 14–5, Republicans 1–11
An Act to Protect Health Care Workers by Addressing Assaults in Health Care Settings
What it does: On the version voted Jun 17, 2025: Replaces the bill with a resolve directing the Commissioner of Health and Human Services to convene a working group on assaults on health care workers in health care facilities and r…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 3–16, Republicans 12–2
An Act to Provide Opportunities and Sustainable Revenue for Maine Farms, Agricultural Fairs, Wabanaki Tribes and Veterans' Homes
What it does: As introduced, allows licensed tribes, commercial tracks, off-track betting facilities and certain beano organizations to operate electronic terminals for historical horse race wagers, electronic beano and virtual sea…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 9–11, Republicans 9–5
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
SC 1080 · ME SENATE
ACF - nomination of Judith Camuso of Falmouth, for appointment to the Land For Maine's Future Board
NoVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Judith Camuso of Falmouth for Appointment to the Land for Maine's Future Board be Overridden?
Would override the committee's recommendation to confirm Judith Camuso of Falmouth as a member of the Land for Maine's Future Board.
ACF - nomination of Patrick C. Keliher of Alna, for appointment to the Land For Maine's Future Board
NoVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Patrick C. Keliher of Alna for Appointment to the Land for Maine's Future Board be Overridden?
Would override the committee's recommendation to confirm Patrick C. Keliher of Alna as a member of the Land for Maine's Future Board.
HCIFS - nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth, for appointment to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care
NoVOTED
Motion: COMMIT — Commit Nomination and Accompanying Papers to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services (S.C. 1037)
Would send the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care back to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee instead of proceeding to a confirmation vote.
A yes vote would have indefinitely postponed the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care, ending its consideration without a confirmation vote. (AI-written)
Would send the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care back to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee instead of proceeding to a confirmation vote.
HCIFS - nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth, for appointment to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care
NoVOTED
Motion: COMMIT — Commit Nomination and Accompanying Papers to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services (S.C. 1037)
Would send the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care back to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee instead of proceeding to a confirmation vote.
HCIFS - nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth, for appointment to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care
NoVOTED
Motion: TABLE UNTIL LATER — Table Until Later (S.C. 1037)
A yes vote would have tabled the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care until later, delaying the confirmation vote. (AI-written)
Would send the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care back to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee instead of proceeding to a confirmation vote.
HCIFS - nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth, for appointment to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care
NoVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth for Appointment to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care be Overridden? YEA: 12 NAY: 18 ABSENT: 0 EXCUSED: 5 MOTION: FAILS (Confirmed)
A yes vote would have overridden the committee's recommendation to confirm Dr. Patrick Connolly to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care, rejecting his confirmation. (AI-written)
Would send the nomination of Dr. Patrick Connolly of Falmouth to the Advisory Council on Affordable Health Care back to the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee instead of proceeding to a confirmation vote.
HED - nomination of Tami Gower of Wells, for appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine
NoVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Housing and Economic Development that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Tami Gower of Wells for Appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine be Overridden?
Would override the committee's recommendation to confirm Tami Gower of Wells as a member of the Finance Authority of Maine.
HED - nomination of Juliet Browne, Esq. of Portland, for appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine
NoVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Housing and Economic Development that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Juliet Browne, Esq. of Portland for Appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine be Overridden?
Would override the committee's recommendation to confirm Juliet Browne, Esq. of Portland as a member of the Finance Authority of Maine.
HED - nomination of Daniel Kleban of Cumberland Foreside, for appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine
NoVOTED
Motion: CONFIRMATION BE OVERRIDDEN — Shall the Recommendation of the Committee on Housing and Economic Development that the Senate Confirm the Nomination of Daniel Kleban of Cumberland Foreside for Appointment to the Finance Authority of Maine be Overridden?
Would override the committee's recommendation to confirm Daniel Kleban of Cumberland Foreside as a member of the Finance Authority of Maine.
